Appeal From Family Of Missing Man William Miller

The family of a man missing for almost two weeks have made an emotional appeal for information as police investigate new reported sightings of him.

William Miller, 62, was last seen on CCTV at a BP petrol station in Main Street, Jamestown, Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire, at about 12.20am on Thursday January 7.

Known as Billy to family and friends, he got a bus to Milngavie and a train to Alexandria on the Wednesday and was in Fentons pub in Jamestown before the last sighting on CCTV.

His family described him as a keen walker and believe he may have been trying to walk home to Balfron in the Stirling Council area - about 15 miles away.

Police searches have focused along the River Leven, with divers and kayak teams used to search the water. No trace has been found and a police helicopter has also joined the search.

Mr Miller is described as fit and healthy, and has regularly worked outdoors.

Police say there are no suspicious circumstances and officers are now checking two possible sightings in Balloch and Bonhill.

The unconfirmed Balloch sighting was on the evening of January 8 and the unconfirmed Bonhill sighting was at lunchtime two days later near to Knoblestone Wood.

Mr Miller's sister, brother-in-law and niece appealed for any information at a police press conference in Dumbarton on Monday.

His niece Eva Greenock held her mother's hand and choked back tears as she said: "We're here today to ask the public to help us find my uncle, Billy Miller.

"It is very out of character for him not to return home and for us not to have heard from him for this length of time.

"We are asking for anyone who has any information or thinks they have seen him to get in touch with police by phoning 101.''

She added: "He grew up in Alexandria and has friends in the area, but has not made contact with anyone.

"He is a keen and active walker and enjoys country and forestry trails, so it is possible that he may have tried to walk home to Balfron.

"We appeal to you to please help us find my uncle Billy. And, uncle Billy, if you see this, we need you to know that me, mum and dad, Nana, Logan and Ben all love and miss you.

"We need to know that you're safe and we want you to come home.''

Mr Miller is about 6ft with a medium build and when last seen he was wearing blue jeans, a blue and grey t-shirt and a black waterproof jacket with a "Douglas Park'' logo on the left breast.

He was also carrying a distinctive small black rucksack and usually wears a white-faced watch with a brown leather strap.

Chief Inspector Graeme MacDiarmid said: "We've carried out significant ground searches in the area where Billy was last seen and that continues. We've used underwater teams and aerial support via a helicopter.

"The weather is a factor in this inquiry and has made some of the searches difficult, nevertheless we have continued to carry out many lines of inquiry that have come in.''